Brassiere



Oct. 19, 1965 A. P. RAMSELL 3,213,462

BRASSIERE Filed June 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ALBERTA P- RAMSELL Oct. 19, 1965 A. P. RAMSELL 3,213,462

BRASSIERE Filed June 21, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 06L 1965 A. P. RAMSELL 3,213,462

BRASSIERE Filed June 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ALBERTA P EAMSELL A T ra/e/v vs United States Patent 3,213,462 BRASSIERE Alberta P. Ramsell, Campbell, Calif. (114A Merrimac Drive, Anaheim, Calif.) Filed June 21, 1963, Ser. No. 289,574 3 Claims. (Cl. 128486) This invention relates to the general field of articles of clothing and, more specifically, the instant invention.

pertains to clothing in the nature of a brassiere.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a brassiere of the up-lift type wherein means are provided to the wearer in order to effect balanced bust weight suspension.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere which will comfortably support the bust and to present the same in accordance with acceptable modern dress practices.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article of clothing in the nature of a brassiere which will serve the necessary support functions for which it is intended, and this, in spite of multiple launderings and excessive perspiration on the part of the wearer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide, in a brassiere of the type generally referred to above, a support band upon which the busts may rest for a proper upward contouring thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide, in a brassiere, a support band for the busts which will, when properly adjusted, keep the busts in their natural positions and to contour the same in accordance with the users dress.

A still further object of this invention is to provide wearing apparel in the nature of a brassiere so arranged and constructed as to support the busts in youthful form.

This invention also contemplates the provision of a brassiere where-in each bust-supporting portion thereof includes a lower band to engage and support the underside of each bust together with means for effecting adjustment of said band.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, .the provision of a brassiere of the type referred to supra, the brassiere being non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which is durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective front view of a brassiere illustrating the parts thereof substantially in a position for use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the brassiere constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the brassiere;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the bust-supporting bands and its immediate chest-engaging strip; 7

FIGURE 6 illustrates the assembly of the bust-supporting band and the chest-engaging strip in an exploded perspective view, and including the fastening means for the brassiere;

FIGURE 7 is a back perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged back perspective view of the brassiere as shown in FIGURE 7.

Patented Oct. 19, 1965 Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a brassiere constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. The brassiere 10, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 6, inclusive, is seen to comprise a pair of body-encircling strips 12, 14 formed of a flexible fabric material, the strips having identical trapezoidal configurations. The narrow ends of the strips 12, 14 are disposed in abutting relation and are stitched together as at 16. The remotely disposed ends of the strips 12, 14 have secured thereto vertically elongated, substantially rectangular tabs 18, 20 on which are sewed a plurality of eye fasteners 22. Also secured on or otherwise secured to the remotely disposed ends of the strips 12, 14, is one of the ends, respectively, of a pair of elongated substantially rectangular strips of elastic material 24, 26. To the other end of the strip 24 is sewed, or otherwise fixedly connected, an elongated substantially rectangular strip of fabric material 28 having a plurality of pairs of eye fasteners 30, 32 which are affixed thereto. The other end of the strip 26 has sewed thereto a plurality of books 34 for selective engagement with either of the pairs of eyes 30 or 32 in order to provide adjustment.

Reference numerals 36, 38 denote a pair of identicallyshaped fabric bust-supporting bands 40, 42 having a pair of abutting ends secured together as by sewing or stitching, as at 44. As is seen in .the several figures, the supporting bands 40, 42 each has a narrow end 40A, 42A and an opposed Wider end 40B, 42B, respectively. Since the bands 40, 42 are identical in construction, a description of one is a description of the other. Thus, and with specific reference to FIGURE 5, the band 42 is seen to include a substantially straight end edge 42C, and an upwardly arcing upper edge 42D, a downwardly sloping end edge 42E oppositely disposed relative to the end edge 42C, and an inwardly bowed lower edge 42F. The narrower ends 40A, 42A are sewed together as stated above, and the lower edges of the bands 40, 42 are stitched, as at 46 in abutting relation relative to the upper edges of the strips 12, 14. A length of protective tape 48 is extended over the stitching 46 and is secured across the abutting edges by stitches 49. A length of trim tape 50 is folded over the upper edges of the supporting bands 40, 42 and is secured thereto by stitches 52.

Reference numerals 54, 56 designate a pair of bustencircling straps having one of their respective ends imposed over the outer sides of .the bands 40, 42 adjacent their abutting ends. An inner finishing, vertically extending, substantially rectangular tab 58 spans the juncture of the adjacent ends of the strips 12, 14 and of the bands 40, 42, as well as the adjacent ends of the straps 54, 56, and the tab 58 is secured thereto as by lines of stitching 60. The free ends of the straps 54, 56 terminate in conventional length-adjusting buckles 62, 64 to which are connected, respectively, depending tongues 66, 68 to which are secured the hooks, 70, 72, respectively. The hooks 70, 72 are adapted to engage, selectively, within the hook eyes 74, '76 mounted on fabric strips 78, which are, in turn, secured in the conventional manner to the bands 40, 42 adjacent the sloping edges thereof.

Reference numerals 82, 84 denote a pair of substantially trapezoidal side panels having a pair of juxtaposed ends. Interposed between the juxtaposed ends of the panels 82, 84 is a centrally located strip of elastic material 86. As is seen clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the confronting ends of the panels 82, 84 have arcuate upper edges which merge with similar edges formed in the strip of elastic material 86, the strip 86 including a centrally located, upwardly projecting extension 88.

Set into each of the adjacent arcuate c-ut out portions of the panels 82, 84 and the strip of elastic material 86 and separated by the extension 88 are a pair of identically constructed bust-supporting cups 90, 92.

Each of the cups 90, 92 is formed of four strips of fabric material, each having a substantially triangular configuration and which .are secured together along their respective sides as at 94. The lower base edges of the cups 90, 92 secured in the arcuate cut-out recesses formed in the side panels 82, 84 and in the strip of elastic material 86. The cups 90, 92 are provided with arcuately shaped protective strips 98 which are secured to the inner side of the brassiere 10 and which follow the outer peripheral edges of the cups.

Connected to the outer side of the brassiere '10 and extending between the upper adjacent edges of the cups 90, 92 and downwardly toward the strip of elastic material 86 is an arrow-shaped gusset 100 which is secured thereto by conventional stitching. To the upper peripheral edges of the panels 82, 84 is secured a continuous reinforcing strip 102, and disposed between the strip 102 and the apices of the caps 90, 92 are fabric loops 104 which are fixedly connected therewith. The upper ends of the loops 104- are connected with buckles 106 which receive one of the ends of shoulder straps 108 for adjustment therethrough. The other ends of the shoulder straps 108 are fixedly secured to the free ends of the side panels 82, 84 (see FIGURES 2 and 4). It should be noted, at this point, that the straps 54, 56 are threaded, respectively, through adjacent ones of the loops 104 in order that proper support may be aflorded to the bands 40, 42.

The free ends of the side panels 82, 84 are provided with hooks 110 which are adapted to be releasably secured with the eye fasteners 22.

When worn, the strips 12, 14 are engaged about the body of the wearer with the bands 40, 42 engaging below the busts of the user. The desired connection is made between the hooks 34 and the eye fastening attachments 30 or 32. The strap-s 54, 56 are now passed upwardly and across each bust in order that the hooks 70, 72 may be engaged with a selected one of the eye fasteners 74, 76. It will, of course, be understood that before this connection is made, the straps 54, 56 are first threaded through the loops 104. Thereafter, the user passes her arms through the shoulder straps 108 to center the cups 90, 92 on the busts, and the hooks 110 at each end of the panels 82, 84 now are engaged with the eye fasteners 22.

Careful adjustment of the straps 54, 56 and the straps 108 will provide the user with the appropriate amount of up-lift and will serve to contour the busts in a pleasing manner.

FIGURES 7 .and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of this invention wherein the elements of the first embodiment finding counterparts herein are assigned the same reference numerals to which a prime mark has been added in order to differentiate the same.

The principal distinction between these two embodiments resides in the panelling of the front or outer portion of the bra-ssiere, as well as in the side portions thereof. Thus, and as seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, the brassiere 10 includes a substantially continuous band 200 formed of .a central panel 202 having a vertically-elongated, substantially pentagon configuration to the sides of which are joined front substantially rectangular panels 204, 206 and to the remotely-disposed sides of the latter are connected side panles 208, 210. To the remotely-disposed edges of the panels 204, 206 are connected vertical panels 212, 214 formed of an elastic material having arcuately shaped cut-outs 216, 218 which, when the garment is properly worn, outline a substantially parabolic curve. To the free end of the panel 212 is secured an insert 220 on which are mounted a plurality of series of vertically arranged eye fasteners 222 laterally spaced from one another. The free end of the panel 214 has hooks 224 afiixed thereto for selective engagement with the eye fasteners 222.

A belt of fabric material 226 having an inner liner 228 is secured to the lower edges of the panels 202, 204 and 206, 208 and 210 as by stitching at 230.

As is seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, tabs 232 are connected to the panels 208, 212, and 210, 214, respectively, along their lines of junction, the tabs 232 each having eye fastening devices 234 secured thereto.

Cups 90, 92' are now connected with the center, front and side panels 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 in the conventional manner. It will be noted that in this embodiment of the invention the side panels 208, 210 have a vertical length greater than the maximum length of either the central panel 202 or the side panels 204, 206.

This garment is worn in the same manner as described above in connection with the first embodiment of this invention, but in this instance, the hooks 234 are engaged with the eye fasteners 22 (not shown in FIGURES 7 and 8) and, of course, the lower free end-s of the panels 212, 214 and the adjacent end-s of the belt 226 and its liner 228 are connected through the insert 220.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention, itwill be understood that the same are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a brassiere, a pair of identical elongated substantially trapezoidal chest-engaging strips disposed in end-toend relationship, flexible means connecting the adjacent ends of said strips, elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of said strips, a bust-supporting band for each of said strips, said bust-supporting bands being disposed in end-to-end relationship with their adjacent ends flexibly interconnected, said strips and bands having a pair of abutting edges, the abutting edges of said bands being inwardly bowed, each of said bands having an edge oppositely disposed with respect to said inwardly bowed edges and diverging away from said abutting ends, the remotely disposed ends of said bands sloping inwardly from said bowed edges toward said opposed edges.

2. In a br-assiere as defined in claim 1, and a pair of bust-encircling straps, said straps having one of their respective ends fixedly secured to said bands adjacent said abutting ends thereof, and means on said band-s adjacent their respective remotely-disposed ends cooperating with means on the other ends of s-aid's-traps to releasably secure said other ends of said straps to said bands.

3. In a brassiere: .a pair of identical elongated substantially trapezoidal chest-engaging strips disposed in endto-end relationship, the longitudinal edges of said strips defining substantially straight lines; flexible means connecting the adjacent ends of said strips; elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of said strips; a pair of bust-supporting bands disposed in end-to-end relationship with their adjacent ends flexibly interconnected, each of said bands having an inwardly bowed edge and an opposed edge which diverges away from said abutting ends; and means for flexibly interconnecting the inwardly bowed edge of each of said bands with the upper longitudinal straight edge of a different one of said strips to maintain said edges in abutting relationship, whereby said bands are dis-tended to form a desirable bust-supporting contour.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,044,623 6/36 Moran 128487 2,149,819 3/39 Rubinstein 128-487 2,284,382 5/42 Elberfeld l28-486 2,428,175 9/47 Norton l28-488 2,470,847 5/49 G-luckin 128484 2,725,563 12/55 Rich 128-492 2,842,137 7/58 Becker 5,. 128-484 ADELE EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A BRASSIER, A PAIR OF IDENTICAL ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY TRAPEZOIDAL CHEST-ENGAGING STRIPS DISPOSED IN END-TOEND RELATIONSHIP, FLEXIBLE MEANS CONNECTING THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID STRIPS, ELASTIC MEANS CONNECTING THE REMOTELY DISPOSED ENDS OF SAID STRIPS, A BUST-SUPPORTING BAND FOR EACH OF SAID STRIPS, SAID BUST-SUPPORTING BANDS BEING DISPOSED IN END-TO-END RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR ADJACENT ENDS FLEXIBLY INTERCONNECTED, SAID STRIPS AND BANDS HAVING A PAIR OF ABUTTING EDGES, THE ABUTTING EDGES OF SAID BANDS BEING INWARDLY BOWED, EACH OF SAID BANDS HAVING AN EDGE OPPOSITELY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID INWARDLY BOWED EDGES AND DIVERGING AWAY FROM SAID BUTTING ENDS, THE REMOTELY DISPOSED ENDS OF SAID BANDS SLOPING INWARDLY FROM SAID BOWED EDGES TOWARD SAID OPPOSED EDGES. 